Shenton wrote, produced and appeared in The Silent Child and she played Mitzeee Minniver from 2010 to 2013 on Hollyoaks.

The soap's executive producer Bryan Kirkwood added his congratulations, saying: "Everyone at Hollyoaks is thrilled for the outstanding success of our much loved ex-colleague Rachel Shenton at the 2018 Oscars.

"The Silent Child is an inspirational, beautiful story, and we send our love and congratulations for her very worthy win."

The Silent Child follows 4-year-old Libby, who lives in a lonely and isolated world of silence until a caring social worker teaches her how to communicate with others.